Taktsang Lhakhang: The Tiger’s Nest Monastery
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If you had only one place to visit in Bhutan, this would be the one.
A shrine on the way
About 20 minutes of uphill track after the first pit stop, we came across this shrine. The path, as you can see, took a sharp turn and I was beginning to wonder where it was going. There is a natural water stream at this point and the water tastes something very different. I drank the water, bowed before the deity here and started walking on the blind turn…
Taktsang Lakhang
….woohhww.. there it was! The Tigers Lair, right in front, slightly below where I was! It appears suddenly before you and I stood there, stupefied, admiring its beauty.
From this point, the actual approach to the monastery is a treacherous walk that could take 20-45 minutes depending on how scared you are of heights. The narrow path kisses the mountain’s rock face as it turns sharp left, dipping slightly from the point where I am standing, to sharp right, finally climbing towards the monastery. All through the path, you can see the monastery – its right there in front of you, you feel like touching it, but you can’t! Not before you complete what a local called, “the final task”.
Tiger’s nest monastery, isn’t it beautiful?
One needs a special ‘Monastery’ permit from the Ministry of Culture to visit this temple. You’ll have to deposit absolutely everything at the front gate. We reached the monastery 45 minutes before it closed and the monks had locked several rooms already, but he was kind enough to open the doors for us. The Guru Lhakhang has a central image which is one of the manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, the guru who brought Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan. A level below is the Dubkhang cave, where the guru Rinpoche meditated. Several murals decorate the walls.
Views from the monastery, as you would expect, are spectacular. The air is filled with soft chanting of mantras and the mild smell of incense. It is very likely that you’ll stand there looking at the valley, doing nothing for a bit, and the next thing you know is the monk tapping on your shoulder saying that its been 10 minutes.
I like the musical aspect of chanting mantras in Hindu / Buddhist traditions. Usually a male guru’s voice acts as the drone, with his voice fixed at lower octave, while his disciples sing an octave higher, creating a very fulfilling feeling.
Taksang Lakhang
I really wanted to stay here forever, or for a long time atleast. Unfortunately it was close to sunset, and since we were on our own, it was imperative to return before dark. The ascent can get very confusing at night.
They say that one must visit the Taktsang Lhakhang atleast once in their lives. It’s the holiest of the holy places in Bhutan. I’m glad, fortunate, lucky, blessed, etc. for having visited this temple.
Praying before the mighty Gurus
That ended my travel of Bhutan, what a fantastic way to end this magical tour! I exit the country in my next, concluding post. (I know I have to start writing about Russia soon!)
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So that’s in Bhutan?! I thought it was in China… Ha ha!
↵Lovely shots!
ha? What do you mean?
The architecture is so different from China isn’t it? And the prayer flags are a clear distinguishing factor!
↵Wow, that is too cool, great shot, to think you actually visited it.
↵Thanks Bob!
↵The first thing which came in my mind was – How did they build it? It would have been a very difficult task!
↵It must have been a herculean task for sure. The monastery was destroyed some decades ago and in order to rebuild it, they had to build an approach road to the base (which is now the start of the trail) and then use ropes, etc to lift the stones. Nobody had an idea of how it was built centuries ago.
↵I was thinking exactly the same thing. People’s capacity to built things never ceases to amaze me. Hundreds of years ago I can’t even begin to imagine. I guess we’re just spoiled by technology and machines.
↵Indeed, the building of the Pyramids, Machu Picchu, etc. are mysteries! With technology we can build wonderful things but often technology is considered THE thing instead of just being a tool to help us.
↵Hi Priyank! This must be an absolutely stunning location!!
Blogtrotter is anticipating the 4th of July fireworks; but in a different country…
Have a great weekend (or vacation, should you have that chance…)!
↵Thanks for stopping by Trotter!
↵Shangri-La! I would love to trek to that place before I die.
↵Yes you must. Do it well in advance, after you are oldish, it will be hard to do!
↵Priyank who clicked your piciture?
↵My friend did it.
↵Wow! Indeed a spectacular place!
Arun
↵Thankyou Arun, glad you enjoyed it!
↵Location…Location…Location!!! What more can I say!! What an absolutely wonderful place. You are definitely lucky for having gone there.
↵Can’t wait for the Russia posts
Thanks Vamsee, The place was great, no doubt!
↵This is one of your best posts Priyank, and great pictures.
↵Oh thankyou Celine! The place was magical, the pictures would have been nice anyway!
↵How on earth did they even build the monestary.. one more wonder of the world!!! Amazing place…
↵Hi Aarti, Welcome to my blog!
↵I had the same intriguing question. Why build a temple in an inaccessible, remote, unconventional place? I guess the answer is implied.
[...] Exiting Bhutan, when you run out of money This post is part of Mystic Druk Yul, a series of travelogues narrating my trip to Bhutan. Here are the other posts! « Previous post: Taktsang Lhakhang: The Tiger’s Nest Monastery [...]
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